'We've had a dramatic drop,' Simcoe Muskoka logs 9 new COVID-19 cases
The Simcoe Muskoka health unit reports its second day of single-digit COVID-19 cases Wednesday, with just nine new infections in Simcoe County.
"We've had a dramatic drop in the incidents in cases per 100,000 population per week for all of our municipalities. All of them are under 30 cases per 100,000 population per week, which is excellent," Dr. Charles Gardner said Wednesday during a live conference.
The medical officer of health flagged Oro-Medonte with the highest incidence of cases in the past week, with 26 cases per 100,000 population, compared to the provincial rate of 24 cases.
COVID-19 Deaths
No new virus-related deaths have been reported this week. So far in June, one woman died after contracting the virus, while in May, there were 18 COVID-19 deaths in Simcoe Muskoka.
Hospitalizations
There are currently 135 active cases, including 23 hospitalizations. The region's medical officer of health said Wednesday that none of the patients had received their vaccine.
Variants of Concern
Fifteen individuals have tested positive for the Delta variant B.1.617.2, which is considered 50 per cent more contagious than the original strain.
"The Delta variant is increasing in prevalence, and we expect it to become dominant as a strain, really requires a second dose of immunization to be well protected," Gardner noted.
The UK B.1.1.7 variant remains the most commonly identified in the region, with nearly 4,000 confirmed cases.
Additionally, cases have tested positive for the P.1 and the B.1.351 variant.
Another 676 cases have screened positive for a variant of concern and require further testing.
Vaccinations
"As time goes on, we get more and more vaccinations from the province," Gardner said.
To date, 62 per cent of residents in Simcoe Muskoka have rolled up their sleeves for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 12 per cent have had both shots.
Complete information on Simcoe Muskoka's COVID-19 vaccination plan is available here, including how to book an appointment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.